4 air purifiers that keep your home free of dust, allergens and pollen

PHILIPS 3000 SERIES AIR PURIFIER AC3256/30

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Philips' latest air purifier does not just clean the air of pollutants and contaminants, it also monitors and gives you real-time info on the quality of air in your home. 

For the purpose of haze season, you'll want filters that can trap PM2.5 (i.e. microscopic particles as small as 2.5 microns in diameter). You'll be glad to know that this Philips machine can even remove particles that are 100 times smaller than PM2.5 - how's that for a peace of mind? If anyone in the family is prone to allergies, turn on the Allergen mode to blitz airborne allergens like dust mite, mould spores and pet dander. 

Coverage area: 76 sq m

$899, from major departmental stores

LIGHTAIR EVOLUTION

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Departing from the usual Hepa filter technology, this elegant Lightair Evolution uses an ioniser to charge air molecules electromagnetically, then attracts pollutants - dust, smoke, pollen, etc - onto a metal particle collector. When you see that a fair amount of dust has settled on the cylindrical collector, just remove the collector and rinse it with water to clean - no need to worry about expensive filter replacements over the years. 

Will it work during haze season? Well, Lightair claims that the Evolution is able to remove particles as small as 0.01 micron, so consider those harmful PM2.5 compounds taken care of. 

Coverage area: 50 sq m

$828, from John Ackerman Pte Ltd, #04-138, 34 Upper Cross Street (6532-3733)

MI AIR PURIFIER

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Xiaomi has made quite a name for itself with its supremely affordable and high performing smartphones. It's been muscling into the home appliances space, and now it's launched an air purifier too. 

This minimalist standing unit is fitted out with a three-layer filter system (which includes a Hepa filter) to sieve out particles as small as 0.3 microns ─ it's good for our unbearable haze season, as well as for protecting you from everyday irritats like cigarette smoke, animal fur and pollen.

The best part is that you don't have to standby your computer to snap up limited quantities from its online store ─ you can actually walk into most NTUC outlets to buy a unit. Sweet.

Coverage area: 48 sq m

$299 from selected NTUC outlets

DYSON PURE COOL LINK

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Instead of running the air-conditioner and an air purifier at the same time, just switch over to the Dyson Pure Cool Link. This sleek machine doubles up as a bladeless fan and air purifier, sprucing up the air as it cools your home. The glass High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, good for capturing particles as small as 0.1 microns, goes above and beyond the all-important PM2.5 filtration requirement. 

You can also use the Dyson Link App (available on iOS and Android) to monitor your home's air quality even when you're out. Better yet, activate the "auto" mode, so that the Dyson Pure Cool Link starts its purification process automatically when the indoor air quality deteriorates. 

Coverage area: 42 sq m

$1,099, from major departmental stores